Shloka 65

Matsya Purana — Catalogue of the Eighteen Puranas

Devanagari script

पञ्चाङ्गानि पुराणेषु आख्यानकमिति स्मृतम् सर्गश्च प्रतिसर्गश्च वंशो मन्वन्तराणि च वंश्यानुचरितं चैव पुराणं पञ्चलक्षणम् //

Transliteration

pañcāṅgāni purāṇeṣu ākhyānakamiti smṛtam sargaśca pratisargaśca vaṃśo manvantarāṇi ca vaṃśyānucaritaṃ caiva purāṇaṃ pañcalakṣaṇam //

Translation

It is taught that the Purāṇas have five limbs: ākhyāna (narrative), sarga (creation), pratisarga (re-creation), vaṃśa (genealogies), manvantara (the cycles of Manus), and vaṃśyānucarita (the histories of dynasties and their successors). Thus a Purāṇa is marked by these five characteristics.

Word by Word

• पञ्चाङ्गानि (pañcāṅgāni): five limbs/parts

• पुराणेषु (purāṇeṣu): in the Purāṇas

• आख्यानकम् (ākhyānakam): narrative, account, traditional story

• इति (iti): thus

• स्मृतम् (smṛtam): is remembered/declared in tradition

• सर्गः (sargaḥ): primary creation

• च (ca): and

• प्रतिसर्गः (pratisargaḥ): secondary creation/re-creation

• वंशः (vaṃśaḥ): lineage, genealogy

• मन्वन्तराणि (manvantarāṇi): Manvantara periods/cycles of Manus

• वंश्यानुचरितम् (vaṃśyānucaritam): chronicles of dynasties and their successors

• चैव (caiva): and indeed

• पुराणम् (purāṇam): a Purāṇa

• पञ्चलक्षणम् (pañcalakṣaṇam): having five defining characteristics

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Purana
• Sarga
• Pratisarga
• Manvantara

Tags

• Purana-Lakshana
• Creation
• Manvantaras
• Genealogies
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

It frames cosmic history through sarga (creation) and pratisarga (re-creation after dissolution), indicating that Purāṇas systematically describe recurring cycles of manifestation following pralaya-like resets.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

By highlighting vaṃśa and vaṃśyānucarita (dynastic lineages and royal chronicles), it supports the Purāṇic model where righteous kingship, succession, and exemplary conduct are preserved as ethical templates for rulers and householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is a classificatory rule—useful for cataloging Matsya Purana content, including later sections where temple architecture and rites appear as part of the broader Purāṇic narrative framework.